Back this year on August 24, 2024, the Race For the Rivers aims to get more people down to the water and involved in river conservation. In an effort to make the canoe and kayak event accessible and fun for a wide variety of skill and competition levels, we offer two separate racing events: the 20-Mile Race and the 30-Mile Race (previously 40-Mile Race).
Which race is right for me?
| Race Overview | |
|---|---|
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Less experienced canoeists, kayakers, & recreational paddlers travel at their own pace for 20 scenic miles of the Missouri River from Weldon Spring to Blanchette Landing. A perfect opportunity for the novice racer to build stamina and test endurance. “Once-a-year” paddlers can come out and paddle on the river with friends for a good cause! | A one-day competitive race from the Klondike Boat Ramp near Augusta, MO to Blanchette Landing in historic St. Charles. For the serious paddler with strong endurance and a desire to compete. NOT FOR BEGINNERS. |
| Race-Day Check-In | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Check-in opens at 8:00 AM | Check-in opens at 8:00 AM |
| Safety Talk | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| On the boat ramp at Weldon Springs. The safety talk is at 8:45 AM | Racers will launch in four waves beginning at 9:00 AM. Each wave will be preceded by a quick safety talk. |
| Start Time | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Racers will launch in four waves beginning at 9:00 AM. Specific wave start times will be provided via email. | Racers will launch in four waves beginning at 9:00 AM. Specific wave start times will be provided via email. |
| Starting Point | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Mile 43 at the Weldon Spring Boat Ramp. | Klondike Boat Ramp near Augusta, MO. All boats will start together. View map. |
| Race Length | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| 2 to 4 hours, depending on pace | 3 to 5 hours, depending on pace |
| Ending Point | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
Blanchette Landing in St. Charles, MO, just over a mile downstream from our normal finish line at Frontier Park. View map. | Blanchette Landing in St. Charles, MO, just over a mile downstream from our normal finish line at Frontier Park. View map. |
| End Time | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| The race officially ends at exactly 5 PM or when the last boat has reached mile 29 – whichever comes first. A team’s participation in this event ends when they have landed at mile 29 before 5 PM or when they notify race headquarters that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Missouri River after 5 PM are electing to continue independent of the race. | The race officially ends at exactly 5 PM or when the last boat has reached mile 29 – whichever comes first. A team’s participation in this event ends when they have landed at mile 29 before 5 PM or when they notify race headquarters that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Missouri River after 5 PM are electing to continue independent of the race. |
| Classes | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Men’s Solo Men’s Double Women’s Solo Women’s Double Mixed Double SUP Voyageur Pedal Drive | Men’s Solo Men’s Double Women’s Solo Women’s Double Mixed Double SUP Voyageur Pedal Drive |
| Minimum Pledge | |
| 20-Mile Race | 30-Mile Race |
| Solo racer: $40 Tandem team: $70 | Solo racer: $50 Tandem team: $85 Voyageur class: $60 per paddler |
All participants must fill out the USCA waiver. Please sign it and email it to greenwaynetwork@gmail.com by noon on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served, so secure your spot by registering in advance!
Need to rent equipment? We've provided some helpful information below. We do suggest that if you need to rent equipment, you should participate in the 20 mile race.
You may check with these local liveries to make arrangements:
Just a reminder that Greenway Network and Race for the Rivers are not involved making arrangements for rentals.
This year, you can arrange shuttle service directly with Paddle Stop in New Haven (via their website or email).
Join us for the fun on Saturday, August 24, 2024!
After we receive your registration, payment, emergency contact card and both waivers, we will issue a boat number and a launch time. These will be assigned in categories.
Below is the unofficial schedule. Your best source of information is the email you will receive the week before the race..
8:00 AM Check-in opens at Klondike Boat Ramp for 30-mile race
8:00 AM Check-in opens at Weldon Spring Boat Ramp 20-mile race
8:45 AM 20-mile safety meeting at Weldon Spring Boat Ramp
9:00 AM 30-mile racers begin to depart from Klondike Boat Ramp in specified waves
9:00 AM 20-mile racers depart from Weldon Spring Boat Ramp
Noonish Racers arrive at Blanchette Landing in St. Charles. Check in at the scoring table
Race for the Rivers is for paddlers with any level of experience. Our goal is to get people down to the water and increase awareness of the cause. Join in the fun and select your race division below!
In each division title, the letter signifies the type of craft (canoe or kayak) and the number signifies the number of paddlers (1 or 2). C2, for example, is a canoe with two paddlers. Similarly, K1 is a kayak with one paddler. (Please note, these division do not strictly follow USCA guidelines.)
All paddlers in the canoe divisions (C1 and C2) MUST USE SINGLE-BLADED PADDLES. Paddlers in the kayak divisions (K1 and K2) may use double-bladed kayak paddles or single-bladed canoe paddles. Open-decked canoes paddled with double-bladed kayak paddles may be entered in the open kayak divisions (K1 Open and K2 Open).
Single paddler, no passengers. Maximum length of 18'6". Maximum deck/float-tank length of 36". Must be paddled with single-blade canoe paddle.
Two paddlers. Minimum 50lb weight limit. Maximum length of 18'6". Canoe must be the product of regular manufacturer (home built canoes that meet the spirit of these rules are allowed) and is intended for recreational (not competitive) use. USCA Standard Class, Competition Cruiser, or Pro Boats not allowed. Must be paddled with single-blade canoe paddles.
Two paddlers. Maximum length of 18'6". Minimum 3" waterline width of 27". Maximum deck/float-tank length of 36". Must be paddled with single-blade canoe paddles. USCA Pro Boats are allowed.
Single paddler. Maximum length of 18'6". Minimum overall width of 21". Kayak must be the product of regular manufacturer (home built kayaks that meet the spirit of these rules are allowed) and is intended for recreational (not competitive) use. Most surf-skis, Olympic or training kayaks not allowed. Epic V8 and Epic V6 surf-skis ARE allowed in the K1 Sea Kayak division.
Two paddlers. Kayak must be the product of regular manufacturer (home built kayaks that meet the spirit of these rules are allowed) and is intended for recreational (not competitive) use. Surf-skis, Olympic or training kayaks not allowed.
Single paddler, otherwise, anything goes! Boat must be seaworthy and paddle powered. Surf-skis, Olympic kayaks, safari boats, etc. are allowed.
Two paddlers, otherwise, anything goes! Boat must be seaworthy and paddle powered. Surf-skis, Olympic kayaks, safari boats, etc. are allowed.
Race for the Rivers is an annual fundraising event to support The Greenway Network’s river conservation efforts, and so racers are asked for a minimum pledge (in lieu of entry fee) when registering.
After registering, be sure to encourage friends and family to make a pledge for your efforts. Top pledge earners get special recognition!
Everyone’s a winner when racing for clean water! We’ll have prizes for top finishers and top pledge earners too. These may be random prizes in your goody bag, random drawings for prizes from our sponsors, or special awards for specific classes based provided by generous donors.
You can register via email: info@racefortherivers.org. Send your name and the race you wish to enter. We will contact you to get the details.
Race for the Rivers is open to both canoes and kayaks, solo and tandem. For more info, read the Race Divisions section above.
You may check with Paddle Stop or Big Muddy Adventures to make arrangements. These liveries can rent canoes and kayaks to you. Please note that they only rent equipment for the 20-Mile Race and will only rent Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) to experienced paddlers.
Yes, the race is sanctioned by the United States Canoe Association.
Yes. All participants must fill out the USCA waiver. Sign it and email to greenwaynetwork@gmail.com by noon on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Participants must be 16 years of age at the time of the race and accompanied by their legal guardian.
You can check out our guide to paddling the Missouri River. And River Miles is a great place to hear from the folks who REALLY paddle on the river. It’s the home base for the MO 340 and the Nitty Gritty Fifty. There are links to numerous resources, and the discussion boards are a fount of knowledge and good-humored rivalry. You can get a mile by mile description of the river from the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association.
There are several good viewing spots along the course of the race. The Klondike Park Boat ramp, the Weldon Spring Boat Ramp, and the Page Avenue Extension all have direct views of the river and safe places to stand and watch. Remember, the racers will have a flying finish at Blanchette Landing in St. Charles, which is the perfect place to watch and congratulate your racer.
The Greenway Network timing crew will sound an airhorn and record your finish time as you cross the finish line. This information will be sent to the TPI Leaderboard to rank your time. You'll have plenty of time to exit the river, load your boat, and catch up with other racers on shore. You'll want to pick up your official race t-shirt and maybe you'll even earn a medal! We'll have post-race snacks for racers, and restrooms on site. We do need to be courteous of the general public as they try to access the boat ramp, so be sure to move your boat to the grassy areas as you savor the moment.
Be sure to read the official race rules page, which outlines required equipment. We will also be sending out updates and official schedules via email.
All money raised from Race for the Rivers goes to support The Greenway Network’s efforts in river clean-up and clean water education. The Greenway Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All pledges and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. We appreciate your support!
The Super 8 Motel - Washington and Super 8 Motel - St. Charles have a special rate for all who request the Race for the Rivers reservations. They add yogurt and granola to their complimentary breakfast on Saturday morning so you and your support crew can get a healthier start to the day. Call 636-390-0088 or visit Super 8 to make your reservation.
Historic St. Charles has a list of all local hotels and B&B's.
The three hotels closest to Blanchette Landing are:
Country Inn & Suites
1190 South Main Street
St. Charles, MO
636-724-5555
Comfort Suites
1400 South Fifth Street
St. Charles, MO
636-949-0694
Quality Inn & Suites
1425 South Fifth Street
St. Charles, MO
636-946-6936
When making reservations, let them know you’re with Race for the Rivers.
The 2024 Race for the Rivers fundraising challenge is on! Our goal is to raise $10,000, all of which goes to the Greenway Network.